"When characterizing those interested in studying abroad we may think of people who are adventurous, inquisitive, worldly, etc. While no one is likely to cite a person's ability as such an attribute, a person's disability too generally is perceived as an inhibitor of such attributes, and in turn as a barrier to overseas study. However, this need not be the case.

The anxiety presented but the idea (of having to learn the accessibility of London first hand) was secondary to my desire as a college student to experience and learn about another part of the world. With this as the focus behind my decision to go abroad, problems with accessibility, while a concern, were not going to dissuade me. Just as a person without a disability would not choose to go abroad for this reason alone, neither would I make the choice not to go abroad simply because of one.

The six weeks I spent in London during the summer of 1997 were some of the best of my life despite, and in part perhaps because of, my disability. While there were many problems with accessibility such as rest rooms and travel accommodations, they were easily dealt with. With the help of friends I made along the way and everyone involved in my program, these problems were overcome if not eliminated.

In this respect, what's important in considering whether or not to go abroad is not so much the challenges one might face in doing so, but the attitude with which one approaches those challenges."